Friday was momentous for me. Not having-a-baby or buying-a-first-home momentous. Those are long-term commitments—the baby more so than the house—but long enough to keep me tied to my computer for the next few years. And because of this, I’m not sleeping much.
I signed the contract for another book series, and now there are would-be characters invading my dreams, begging for attention. I don’t even know their names, but I have their occupations planned out and their personalities pinpointed. The female lead is a little demanding, which means I need to find a way to soften her. And the male? Well, he’s a little too perfect—a byproduct of being married to a godly man whom I adore and respect—I think he should be the hero in every story.
Side note: The first WIP (Work In Progress) I shared with a mentor at a writer’s conference was inspired by my own romance with my sweet husband. The mentor told me the lead male was too perfect and no one would buy it. Welcome to my world!
Back to my torturous dreams… It’s been quite a while since I had to start a novel by scratch. I’ve done some novellas, but the word count wasn’t so daunting it plagued me with nightmares. In fact, I’m working on a 35,000-word Christmas novella right now. Why doesn’t that keep me up at night? Because I already know the main characters—they co-starred in Surrendered. But starting a whole new series, with a whole new cast, set in a whole new place (Franklin, Tennessee) based around a whole new anchor (a vintage store) is a little trickier. And it’s been ten years since I’ve been in this position. Older but, hopefully, wiser.
Writing is not a formula for me, however, there are components to a good story that must be met. I learned from some amazing novelists early on—Angela Hunt, Brandilyn Collins, Deb Raney, Jerry Jenkins and Randy Ingermanson. I poured over and marked up books such as Story Engineering by Larry Brooks, Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, and A Novel Idea by a collaboration of wonderful, successful novelists, so that I was sure to hit the mark.
Although it’s been over twelve years since I sat in a session with Angela Hunt, I can still see her Plot Skeleton in my mind—The skull (or central character), the neck (inciting incident), the end of the spine (the goal)… Miss one of these important bones, and I have a deformed (and disappointing) story. If you’re not a writer, this may sound like mumbo jumbo, but to those of us who don’t want to let our readers (or God) down, it’s kind of important.
And though sleep may be sporadic, my characters visit me in the wee hours of the morning. Really, I think it’s the Holy Spirit giving me just enough to keep me moving forward, but not so much I blunder ahead on my own. I’m very excited to meet this new cast of characters and see where they take me. Because I can plot out the story until I know it as well as my past novels, but the characters have a mind of their own. So, if you happen to see me acting a little delusional, mumbling and drooling, don’t worry. It’s just part of the creative process.
Comments 8
How fun, bringing characters to life and their journeys! Looking forward to your next project! How long do we have to wait?! 😫❤️❤️
Author
Well, I have a Christmas novella coming out this holiday season, my third novel in the Apple Hill series coming out next April, but this new cast of characters won’t be introduced until the following April. Seems like forever!
I love your emails…. it’s like a window to getting to know you better and how the mind of an author works. Pretty cool!
Blessings,
LaDonna
Author
Thrilled that you’re enjoying them, LaDonna. Thanks for your encouragement and support!
Looking forward to your next adventure in writing. Just finished “Illusions”. Read it through in just a few sittings. Knowing you and some of your history, gave the book even more impact. Keeping you and your honey in my prayers. Keep safe in these uncertain times.
Hugs!
Author
Thanks so much, Sue. I appreciate your encouragement, support and prayers. We will keep you and Jim in our prayers, as well.
I know that the stories in your head now will be a terrific read. It is ironic that you keep wanting to write stories based on things that you went through, but wouldn’t be believable in a story. I love Chris very much, but he would be hard to replicate. He is a good man, but characters in stories need to have some not-so-good qualities because for most of us our husbands and boyfriends are not perfect, but we love them anyway. It is a kind of antagonist in the story. By the way, I love you too Jennie, but you are also too perfect. That is why you and Chris do so well together and like any good couple you each complement the other.
Keep writing, you are my favorite author. I anxiously await the new book each year.
Author
That’s so sweet, Barb. Thank you so much. Your encouragement and support are appreciated. Yes, I do write stories about what I went through, but I had no personal connection to Surrendered, and my next series will all be stories that are inspired by things other than my life. Still, the emotions God put me through make it easier to connect to my readers because those are real. Love you!